Description
This Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, a rich tomato sauce, and a blend of melted cheeses baked to perfection. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Pasta and Cheese
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season chicken cubes generously with salt and black pepper to enhance their flavor before cooking.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and cook them until browned on all sides and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Onions: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Make Sauce: Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and allow it to simmer gently for 15 minutes while stirring occasionally to develop flavor.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the sauce. Simmer together for an additional 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well to remove excess water.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, gently fold the cooked pasta into the chicken and tomato sauce mixture, ensuring even coating.
- Assemble Bake: Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish spreading it evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from oven and let the pasta bake rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired for a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- You can substitute the chicken breasts with boneless thighs for a juicier result.
- Using different pasta shapes like penne or rotini helps to hold the sauce better.
- Make it spicier by adding extra red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to retain crispiness.
- For a lower-fat option, reduce the cheese quantities or use part-skim mozzarella.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta bake, baked pasta, chicken pasta casserole, comfort food, easy dinner
